Technical Data Sheet

GranuCult
MRS Agar (de MAN, ROGOSA and SHARPE)
acc. ISO 15214
Ordering number: 1.10660.0500

For isolation, enumeration and cultivation of Lactobacillus spp. and other mesophilic lactic acid bacteria
from all types of materials.
This culture medium complies with the specifications given by ISO 15214 and APHA.

Mode of Action

This medium contains polysorbate, acetate, magnesium and manganese, which are known to act as
special growth factors for Lactobacilli, as well as a rich nutrient base. As the medium exhibit a fairly low
degree of selectivity, it may support growth of Pediococcus and Leuconostoc species and other
secondary bacteria.
Typical Composition
GranuCult MRS agar (de MAN, ROGOSA
Specified by ISO 15214
and SHARPE) acc. ISO 15214
Enzymatic Digest of Casein 10 g/l Enzymatic Digest of Casein 10 g/l
Meat Extract 10 g/l Meat Extract 10 g/l
Yeast Extract 4 g/l Yeast Extract 4 g/l
Glucose 20 g/l D(+)-Glucose 20 g/l
Dipotassium Hydrogen Phosphate 2 g/l Dipotassium Hydrogen Phosphate 2 g/l
Polyoxyethylenesorbitan
1.08 g/l Tween 80 1.08 g/l
monooleate (Tween 80)
Di-Ammonium Hydrogen Citrate
Triammonium Citrate 2 g/l 2 g/l
(equivalent to 2 g/l Triammonium Citrate)
Sodium Acetate 5 g/l Sodium Acetate 5 g/l
Magnesium Sulfate Heptahydrate 0.2 g/l Magnesium Sulfate Heptahydrate 0.2 g/l
Manganese Sulfate Monohydrate
Manganese Sulfate Tetrahydrate 0.05 g/l (equivalent to 0.05 g/l Manganese sulfate 0.04 g/l
tetrathydrate)
Agar 12-18 g/l Agar-Agar* 14 g/l
Water 1000 ml/l Water n/a
pH at 25 C 5.7 0.1** pH at 25 C 5.6-5.9
The life science business of Merck operates as
MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada. 1 of 4
* Agar-Agar is equivalent to other different terms of agar.
** ISO 15214 states for the pH: In order that the pH-value does not fall below 5.6, the tolerance here is 0.1 instead
of 0.2 as usual.

Preparation

Dissolve 68.2 g in 1 l of purified water. Heat in boiling water, and agitate frequently until completely
dissolved. Autoclave 15 minutes at 121 C or use 118 C to achieve improved growth of Bifidobacterium
spp.

The prepared medium is clear and brown.

Experimental Procedure and Evaluation

Depend on the purpose for which the medium is used.

Following the procedure given by ISO 15214, inoculate the medium by using poured plate technique.

Incubate the inoculated plates inverted at 29-31 C for 69-75 h.

According to ISO 15214, surface plating in combination with incubation under anaerobic or microaerobic
conditions can be applied instead of the pour plating method. Anaerobic or microaerobic conditions can
be achieved by using Merck Anaerocult C or C mini in an anerobic jar.

It is also possible to use a double-layer MRS.

Avoid desiccation of the agar during incubation so that the medium does not become too inhibitory by
increasing the acetate concentration at the surface, which inhibits the growth of Lactobacilli.

Storage

Store at +2 C to +8 C, dry and tightly closed. Do not use clumped or discolored medium. Protect from
UV light (including sun light). For in vitro use only.

According to Corry et al., self-prepared plates can be stored +2 C to + 8 C C in the dark and protected
against evaporation for up to 14 days.

Quality Control

Reference Method of Expected

Function Control strains Incubation
medium control results
Lactobacillus acidophilus
ATCC 4356
Lactobacillus sakei
ATCC 15521
Lactococcus lactis
Previously
spp. lactis 69-75 h at
validated Recovery
ATCC 19435 29-31 C Quantitative
batch of MRS 70 %
Productivity Pediococcus aerobic
agar
pentosaceus
ATCC 33316
Pediococcus
pentosaceus
ATCC 29358
69-75 h at
Bifidobacterium bifidum Good
29-31 C - Qualitative
ATCC 11863 growth
anaerobic

We provide information and advice to our customers on application technologies and regulatory matters to the best of our knowledge and 2 of 4
ability, but without obligation or liability. Existing laws and regulations are to be observed in all cases by our customers. This also applies
in respect to any rights of third parties. Our information and advice do not relieve our customers of their own responsibility for checking
the suitability of our products for the envisaged purpose.
Merck, GranuCult, Readytube and Readyplate are trademarks of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Anaeroclip, Anaerocult, Bactident,
ChromoCult, Duopath, FluoroCult, Readycult, Readybag and Singlepath are registered trademarks of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt,
Germany.
 Reference Method of Expected
Function Control strains Incubation
medium control results
Escherichia coli
ATCC 8739
69-75 h at
Selectivity Escherichia coli Total
29-31 C - Qualitative
ATCC 25922 inhibition
Bacillus cereus
ATCC 11778
Please refer to the actual batch related Certificate of Analysis.

The performance test is in accordance with the current version of EN ISO 11133.

A recovery rate of 70 % is equivalent to a productivity value of 0.7.

Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393 Bifidobacterium bifidum ATCC 11863

Literature

APHA (2015): Compendium of Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Foods. 5 th edition.
American Public Health Association, Washington, D.C.

De Man J.D., Rogosa M., and Sharpe M.E. (1960): A Medium for the cultivation of Lactobacilli. J. Appl.
Bact. 23: 130-135.

ISO International Standardisation Organisation. Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs -
Horizontal method for the enumeration of mesophilic lactic acid bacteria - Colony-count technique at 30
C. ISO 15214:1998.

ISO International Standardisation Organisation. Microbiology of food, animal feed and water -
Preparation, production, storage and performance testing of culture media. EN ISO 11133:2014.

Schillinger, U. and Holzapfel, W.H. (2012): Culture media for Lactic Acid Bacteria. In: Handbook of
Culture Media for Food and Water Microbiology. (Corry, J.E.L., Curtis, G.D.W. and Baird, R.M. eds).,
pp 174-186. Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, UK.

We provide information and advice to our customers on application technologies and regulatory matters to the best of our knowledge and 3 of 4
ability, but without obligation or liability. Existing laws and regulations are to be observed in all cases by our customers. This also applies
in respect to any rights of third parties. Our information and advice do not relieve our customers of their own responsibility for checking
the suitability of our products for the envisaged purpose.
Merck, GranuCult, Readytube and Readyplate are trademarks of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Anaeroclip, Anaerocult, Bactident,
ChromoCult, Duopath, FluoroCult, Readycult, Readybag and Singlepath are registered trademarks of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt,
Germany.
Ordering Information

Product Cat. No. Pack size

GranuCult MRS Agar (de MAN, ROGOSA and 1.10660.0500 500 g
SHARPE) acc. ISO 15214
ReadyPlate MRS Medium ISO 15214 1.46717.0020 20 x 90 mm

ReadyPlate MRS Medium ISO 15214 1.46717.0100 100 x 90 mm

ReadyTube 200 MRS Medium ISO 15214 1.46364.0006 6 x 200 ml

Anaerobic jar 1.16387.0001 1 jar

Anaeroclip 1.14226.0001 1 x 25

Anaerocult C 1.16275.0001 1 x 10

Anaerocult C mini 1.13682.0001 1 x 25

Plate basket 1.07040.0001 1 piece

Merck KGaA Find contact information for your

country at:
Frankfurter Strasse 250
www.merckmillipore.com/offices
64293 Darmstadt, Germany
Fax: +49 (0) 61 51 / 72-60 80 For Technical Service, please visit:
www.merckmillipore.com/techservice

For more information, visit

www.merckmillipore.com/biomonitoring

We provide information and advice to our customers on application technologies and regulatory matters to the best of our knowledge and 4 of 4
ability, but without obligation or liability. Existing laws and regulations are to be observed in all cases by our customers. This also applies
in respect to any rights of third parties. Our information and advice do not relieve our customers of their own responsibility for checking
the suitability of our products for the envisaged purpose.
Merck, GranuCult, Readytube and Readyplate are trademarks of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Anaeroclip, Anaerocult, Bactident,
ChromoCult, Duopath, FluoroCult, Readycult, Readybag and Singlepath are registered trademarks of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt,
Germany.